When It’s Just Too Hot To Care For Your Hair

Summer is right around the corner, so that could mean a complete change in hair regimens. In my part of town (the DC area), the weather decided it wanted to reach close to 90 degrees this week.

I’m a fall baby, which means that, although I enjoy the sunshine, it’s not the season I best thrive in. Meaning: heat oftentimes makes me irritable and cranky. Now, throw in having to style my super thick hair in the mix and it’s a recipe for chaos. If anyone can relate, I hope this article will alleviate some unnecessary stress.

Here are some tips to calm your spirit and to help make managing your hair in the summer heat more bearable, if not enjoyable, process:

Bring a refresher into the bathroom

No matter if the AC is blasting or not, sometimes the bathroom can be the hottest room in the house. Since you can’t really get around having to style your hair there, you might as well get comfortable right?

One idea is to bring a small, portable fan with you when you’re doing your styles during the summer heat. If you have any outlets left after your fan, phone charger and perhaps flat-iron* are taken care of, you could also put in a scented plug-in air freshener (if you don’t regularly use these).

With the combination of the fan blowing and the lovely scents, your haircare routine will be much more enjoyable! If you close your eyes, you may even feel like you’re getting a fresh wind from the beach!

Another suggestion is to bring a refreshing drink with you. Sip on some sweet tea, a margarita, or even just a fresh glass of ice cold water! Your hair routine is a must—no matter how tiring it can be—so anything to ease the process is always a win!

Blast music

You might do this already, but maybe reading this on the list lets you know you’re not alone! If you’re cooped up in the bathroom on a summer day, you might as well make the best out of it! Nothing relaxes us quite like our favorite jams. You could even create a “haircare playlist” so you’ll have something extra to look forward to the next time you have to style it. Take it a step further and don’t (voluntarily) listen to these songs until it’s hair time! That way, you have no choice but to be lit!

Of course, if listening to your favorite jams causes you to dance and break out into a sweat—which would be going against this whole “cool down vibe” you’re trying to create—you could always play some smooth jazz. Whichever route you take, you just want to make sure that you aren’t tense or annoyed.

Give yourself a time limit

Now, hopefully the music doesn’t get you too carried away and you end up spending another hour longer than usual because you were having too much fun! Something you can do to ensure that your summer haircare routine is the most enjoyable is by making sure you don’t waste time.

Setting a timer for twisting up or braiding up your hair is a good start. Hey, you could even make a race out of it and see if you shave off any time each week! This might encourage you to save bits of time in other areas of your life as well! If styling your hair quickly isn’t the best option for your particular look, then you could always break up your time in the bathroom by watching a show or reading a chapter in between sections so you don’t lose your energy.

Wear styles that last for several days

Going along with saving time, my next tip would be to wear styles that will last several days at a time. That way, you will have more time to enjoy the real, fresh, outdoor air.

It’s no fun doing your hair if you don’t end up going anywhere out the house to show it off! Examples of long-lasting styles are curlformers*, mini twists, jumbo flat twists, updo’s, and crown/halo braids. (Of course, this list is intended for those women who style their natural tresses on a regular basis. It is not inclusive of weaves*, wigs* or extensions*.)

Wash your hair in cool water

My last “calming tip” might be the most practical out of all of them. Wash, or at least rinse, your hair in cool water when styling in the summer. Your overall body temperature will be cooler, so you’ll begin the entire process feeling refreshed.

It’s recommended to regularly rinse your hair in cold water anyway because it better seals in the conditioner by closing of the cuticle.

How do you care for your hair during the hot Summer months? Comment below!